How accurate are the "old Records"

[Toadie]

I have been wondering.. How accurate are the old records dating from the early 1750's to the mid 1900s as far as distance is concerned? I always see accounts of battle sites and Ghost Towns, but the distance seems way off compared to todays. I know there are not any set standards due to the fact that everyone looks at distance differently. I am just curious as to what the average error a MDer can expect in terms of distance..1-2 miles off or as in one case I know of 6 miles was supposed to be 2 1/2. As the bird flies.

I have come to conclude that most people estimated the distance from the edge of town instead (of center of town) to their destination.

Anyone else have any suggestions on this matter?

James

[Toadie]

Stands to reason then, I reckon.

I been trying to guess about what some of the old Trail Blazers were up against... Guess if you are running to save your hide, a mile and a half could seem like six.. The same principle holds true even today in the military hot zones.


On greater distances, then it stands to reason that the mileage would be off more than short ones, depending on who measured it. Maybe so much as 2 miles or more.. Never thought of it much before though.

James